Three Suspects in Bantul Church Service Dispersal Case Not Yet Detained

The Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) have not yet detained three suspects in the case of the dispersal of a worship service at the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) congregation in Sewon, Bantul, in May 2026.

The suspects, identified by the initials D (47), BS (54), and AH (55), were named as suspects in mid-August.

Polda DIY Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Ihsan, said the three had complied with summonses for questioning as suspects.

“Their attendance shows that they have been cooperative, so of course investigators have considerations based on the Criminal Code. One of them is that the three of them, during examination as witnesses and as suspects, were assessed by investigators as cooperative, so detention has not yet been carried out,” Ihsan said at Polda DIY headquarters in Sleman on Tuesday (25/6).

Ihsan stressed that the investigation into the alleged case is still ongoing. The three suspects have not been detained based on the investigators’ considerations.

“That is purely the investigators’ subjective assessment. But once again, this case continues to proceed,” he said.

Ihsan claimed that the handling of the case demonstrates the police’s commitment to providing protection for all religious activities taking place in the Yogyakarta region.

Polda DIY stressed that the case is being handled professionally and in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Police also urged all parties to respect the ongoing legal process and to work together to maintain public security and order so that the situation remains safe and conducive.

The three suspects are charged under articles concerning criminal offences against religious life or beliefs and places of worship, as referred to in Article 303 paragraph (3) or Article 303 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.

The alleged dispersal of the GMS congregation’s worship activity occurred on Sunday morning (25/5) at a building used as a church. The location is in the Glugo area, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul. The local National Unity and Political Affairs Agency (Kesbangpol) said the objection came from a community organisation that questioned the permit status of the building used as a place of worship.

GMS administrators said the dispersal of the congregation’s worship by the Laskar Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) DIY had left trauma, particularly among child congregants. They reported alleged intimidation at the time.

Bantul Regent Abdul Halim Muslih condemned the dispersal action. The action was considered to have overstepped the constitution and to be inconsistent with religious teachings. He also noted objections from local residents to the GMS congregation’s worship activities.

Meanwhile, FJI DIY Chairman Abdurrahman said that what his group did at GMS was intended to prevent conflict with local residents from growing larger. He also expressed regret over the narrative of intolerance that had circulated.